Jiang Qi sneered, "She said so many high-sounding words before, but she knew she was just making excuses for losing. She knew she couldn't beat you, so she didn't waste her breath teaching you. She does know her place."
Jiang Xuan snorted coldly: "Her pregnancy is really ill-timed. I'd really like to have a match with her."
Jiang Qi shook his head. Jiang Xuan had always been very proud and confident. If anyone overshadowed her, she would naturally fight back and not stop until she won the competition. Who knew that in the end, because Ouyang Yue was pregnant, such a ridiculous competition would be created? The two palace maids looked ahead and realized that there was no comparison at all. The outcome had already been decided, and there was no need to compete.
"The competition begins. The first to appear is Lan Cao, a palace maid from the Da Gan Kingdom."
Lan Cao changed into a long red robe with a white gauze over it, the sleeves of which trailed to her feet as she slowly walked over. She bowed crisply to Emperor Mingxian and the others, and Eunuch Fushun announced in a shrill voice, "The performance begins!"
Upon hearing this, Lan Cao swung her right arm violently, sending her long, bright red sleeve billowing into the sky. The sleeve, a blend of grace and power, traced a beautiful arc in the air, its vibrant color almost lifelike. At the same moment, Lan Cao swung her other sleeve, the cuffs intertwining and colliding in the air, creating a poignant and tender atmosphere. Although Lan Cao's dancing skills were clearly lacking, the overall effect was undeniable. Finally, Lan Cao spun in place, her long sleeves swirling around her body, her delicate face and graceful figure appearing and disappearing, further enhancing her beauty.
Jiang Xuan truly lived up to her reputation as a dance master. In just the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Lan Cao noticed such a significant change. Recalling the behavior of Xiang'er, the palace maid from the Great Zhou Dynasty, everyone had already given up all hope. Even if they racked their brains, they couldn't find any extraordinary possibility for Xiang'er. First, she wasn't as beautiful as Lan Xiang; second, her temperament was timid and unfit for the stage; third, her dancing skills were utterly terrible; and fourth, the Princess Consort of Chen had only chatted with her and hadn't taught her any dance techniques. For her to be able to dance well was truly a miracle!
Just then, a very clear sound suddenly rang out from outside the main hall. Everyone was startled and looked out. When they saw Xiang'er walking in, they were all taken aback.
But Xiang'er, who had been timid and hesitant before, was now walking straight ahead. Her clothes were quite strange; she wore a white dress without any patterns or designs, but copper bells hung from the sleeves to her waist, the hem, and the cuffs, their colors gleaming and their folds sparkling. Her hair was tied up high in a simple bun, with a ring of small bells, about half the size of a thumb, arranged around the edge. These bells made a jumbled sound as she walked. Coupled with Xiang'er's ordinary appearance and her brightly colored, jingling clothes, she was completely ignored. Everyone's attention was focused on the bells.
Seeing this, Eunuch Fu Shun was taken aback, but when he saw the look in Ouyang Yue's eyes, he thought it was strange. He then raised his voice and said, "Xiang'er, the palace maid of the Great Zhou Kingdom, begin your performance!"
Xiang'er was very nervous, her eyes trembling slightly, but Ouyang Yue's words kept echoing in her mind: she must remain calm. She slowly raised her arm and gently shook it. "Ding-a-ling!" A crisp sound rang out. The sound was so clear that it seemed to inexplicably harmonize with the noise, like a clear spring constantly lapping against rocks, making a clear and melodious sound.
After the first sound, Xiang'er immediately stretched out her left hand and shook it as well. However, the shaking of her left hand was noticeably faster, and it sounded like two tones intertwined and lingered together. Everyone was puzzled when they heard this. The sound was really peculiar, and what was strange was that the tone that Xiang'er had been making when she was walking was now so harmonious.
"Clang, clang, clang!" Just then, Xiang'er's left foot suddenly hopped lightly to the ground, causing the bells on her dress to ring crisply. However, the sound below seemed heavy, creating two broken notes. At that moment, Xiang'er spread her arms and began to sway and move casually. Her dance steps were very ordinary, just casually waving her arms and swinging her feet. But at this moment, no one noticed how basic Xiang'er's dance skills were or how ordinary her dance technique was. They were all focused on the vibrations brought by the music.
This bell is such an ordinary toy, how come it was played as music? It lacks the elegance of the zither and harp, but it is crisp and melodious. It is like being used to the beautiful and luxurious imperial garden, and suddenly turning around and wandering in the forest and stream. The freedom and unrestraint of the wild is so refreshing and pleasant that it is hard to describe in words. It is wonderful, melodious and touching.
"Ding-a-ling, ding-dong..."
The hall was instantly enveloped in a strange atmosphere. Many people half-closed their eyes, savoring the melody, seemingly imagining the profound impact it would have on their souls—a feeling of escaping the mundane and yearning for freedom. It was mesmerizing, as if their souls were being slowly cleansed. They couldn't recall what dance Lanxiang had performed before, no matter how hard they tried. All that remained was the breathtaking dance before them, a true miracle.
"Ding ding ding ding... Clang!" As Xiang'er's arms and head swung and spun rapidly, she stepped down and her whole body came to an instant. Finally, a soft, rustling sound came from her body, as if all beautiful dreams had to end and she finally returned to peace.
Xiang'er breathed softly, a fine layer of sweat on her forehead. Yet, the way people in the hall looked at her had changed. The person who had been utterly ordinary before now appeared exceptionally beautiful. The sweat on her face, like the fruits of victory, glistened and accentuated her beauty. Compared to the Xiang'er Ouyang Yue had chosen before, it was a complete transformation. This miracle was the work of Princess Chen; it was a divine intervention. And how could someone with no dance background instantly become so radiant? What incredible skill and ingenuity! It was truly astounding!
Jiang Xuan, panting heavily, saw Xiang'er walk in. She had been mocking her, but when the dance began, her expression changed drastically. It didn't matter that Xiang'er was plain-looking, didn't have a figure as good as Lan Cao's, and didn't care that her dancing was terrible. Because when this bell dance started, everyone's eyes were focused on the dynamic, leaping bells, and their ears were drawn to the sound. Who would care who was dancing? This kind of dance would be better than Lan Xiang's no matter who performed it. Such a mindset was truly rare.
Jiang Xuan felt a tightness in her chest. At this moment, Ouyang Yue slowly stood up, looked at Jiang Xuan with a confident expression, and said in front of everyone, "Princess Jiang Xuan, you have lost!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Xuan's face tightened, her eyes darkened, and she slammed her hand on the table with a "bang," suddenly standing up. Everyone thought, "Is this Princess Da Gan about to become furious?"
"Would this...affect her mission and the stability of the two countries?" Emperor Mingxian frowned, about to speak, when Jiang Xuan, contrary to everyone's expectations, suddenly turned and strode quickly towards Ouyang Yue. Her steps were extremely fast; this Princess Jiang Xuan actually knew martial arts! Coupled with her sudden and swift action, by the time everyone reacted, she was already rushing towards Ouyang Yue, face to face. And what she was aiming for was Ouyang Yue's stomach!
☆、228、Su'er appeared in a dream (first meeting between father and son)
A collective gasp swept through the crowd, their minds racing. Could Princess Jiang Xuan truly be interested in Prince Chen? While Prince Chen had little chance of inheriting the throne, his powerful backing was undeniable. Such influence was enough to rival the Crown Prince. If not for his tarnished reputation and the lack of ministers to support him, he would be the Crown Prince's greatest enemy. Princess Jiang Xuan, knowing this, and seeing Prince Chen's striking good looks, had taken a liking to him at first sight. She had initially intended to cause trouble for Princess Chen's wife, but Princess Chen's cleverness and cunning had easily outmaneuvered her, leaving her humiliated. Was Princess Jiang Xuan now enraged, plotting to harm Princess Chen's child, frame her for murdering a prince, and then marry Prince Chen as his principal wife?
Otherwise, how can this be resolved? She doesn't care about anyone else when she arrives, but she insists on causing trouble for Princess Chen. This Princess Jiang Xuan has a lot of nerve. In front of so many people, how else can she frame Princess Chen?
Everyone immediately imagined what was going on, but several people burst out in anger, such as Baili Chen beside Ouyang Yue, Xuan Yuan Chaohua beside her, and Baili Gan on the other side.
"stop!"
Ouyang Yue was also protecting her stomach at this moment, gently pressing her hand on the ring. If Jiang Xuan dared to go any further and try to harm her stomach, she wouldn't mind giving her a needle prick, or even making a small hole in her head so that she would sleep forever.
However, before anyone could stop her, Jiang Xuan stopped and looked at Ouyang Yue with a complicated expression. Everyone was slightly taken aback. Taking this opportunity, Baili Chen and Xuanyuan Chaohua stood in front of Ouyang Yue and looked coldly at Jiang Xuan. Emperor Mingxian's eyes flashed, and his gaze towards Jiang Xuan also carried a hint of killing intent.
Fen Yan was shocked. What was Princess Jiang Xuan up to? Rumor had it that the princess was unparalleled in beauty and talent. How could she be such a reckless person? This was completely unexpected!
A glint of light flickered in the Empress's eyes. When Jiang Xuan stopped, a hint of regret flashed in her eyes, but she calmly watched again.
"Princess Jiang Xuan, what do you mean by this?" Jiang Xuan stopped, and Ouyang Yue glanced at her indifferently and said.
Jiang Xuan seemed unsure what to say for a moment, and after hesitating for a moment, she asked, "How did you come up with the idea of the bell dance?"
Ouyang Yue pursed her lips slightly. Seeing this, Jiang Xuan sighed and said, "If it's inconvenient to say, Princess Chen doesn't have to say it. This is not a forced statement."
Ouyang Yue shook her head: "It's not that I can't say, it's just a sudden thought. What could make someone who can't dance win so surprisingly? It has to be something new, but the difference in dance skills isn't so easily overcome. I just wanted to prevent everyone from seeing the dancers' actual steps and focus only on the overall dance." Many people didn't understand what Ouyang Yue meant. To those who didn't understand dance, wasn't this just saying nothing? However, Jiang Xuan frowned slightly, nodded thoughtfully, and said with a wry smile: "Princess Consort Chen, you have a good idea, a good thought. I, the princess, have lost."
Ouyang Yue smiled faintly: "Princess Jiang Xuan is too kind. It's just that we are not as skilled as others, so we can only compete in other areas. If it were just a dance competition, I would naturally lose."
"Princess Consort Chen is too modest. I lost, and I will not do anything shameless like refusing to admit defeat. I was originally just eager to compete because I admired Princess Consort Chen's reputation, but it seems that there is no need for me to compete with Princess Consort Chen. I don't want to lose face again." Jiang Xuan was not wrong. Ouyang Yue's basic dance skills may not be as good as hers, but it was this feeling of amazement that was enough for them to win the competition. At that time, she would have been even more embarrassed than she is now.
Everyone was suspicious. Wasn't Princess Jiang Xuan just trying to cause Princess Chen to miscarry? What's going on between the two of them now? They're actually chatting humbly. What are they doing? Shouldn't they be fighting angrily right now? It doesn't seem like that at all.
Jiang Xuan suddenly chuckled and took a step forward, but Baili Chen took a step forward and said, "Stop!" His brows furrowed and his eyes were cold, which startled Jiang Xuan. No one had forgotten how Jiang Xuan had rushed over like a madwoman. If she were allowed to get close to Ouyang Yue now, everyone was afraid that she would do it again.
Ouyang Yue gently tugged at Baili Chen's sleeve: "Your Highness, I don't think the princess is that kind of person. Princess Jiang Xuan is the most beautiful and talented woman in the Da Gan Kingdom, so she must be a person of integrity. I think Princess Jiang Xuan would disdain to do such a thing as maliciously framing others. Otherwise, wouldn't she be playing the Da Gan Kingdom's dynasty and people with ease?"
Baili Chen's lips twitched slightly as he said, "What the princess said is correct. Princess Jiang Xuan was sent on a mission by the Emperor of Da Gan, representing Da Gan's friendship and peace. If she were to do something that would harm the Great Zhou Dynasty, then Da Gan would be violating peace and would be condemned and cursed by all the peace-loving people in the world."
As Jiang Xuan listened, a faint blue vein bulged on her forehead, and her lips twitched almost imperceptibly. Was Baili Chen and Ouyang Yue such a perfect match? She hadn't said or done anything yet, and this couple had already said everything. If she dared to do anything, it would harm the peace between the two countries. Even a single spit from the Great Xing could drown her. Moreover, she represented the Emperor of the Great Gan. If she were to harm the descendants of the Great Zhou royal family, even the Emperor of the Great Gan would find it difficult to protect her. Not only would the two countries go to war, but the Great Zhou might even have a legitimate reason to destroy the Great Gan. Of course, she was confident that the Great Gan wouldn't be that weak, but public opinion would be overwhelmingly against her. The couple's words had truly forced her into a corner. Fortunately, she didn't actually intend to cause Ouyang Yue's miscarriage.
Jiang Xuan cleared her throat slightly and said, "Whether Prince Chen and Princess Chen believe it or not, I came here this time because of Princess Chen's reputation. I was so eager to learn from her that I did something wrong before. Please forgive me, Princess Chen. Back when I was working hard, after hearing about Princess Chen's deeds, I was eager to visit her. I was too impulsive before and made such a fool of myself. I hope Princess Chen won't blame me."
Ouyang Yue nodded slightly: "Not at all, Princess Jiang Xuan is too kind."
The two of them actually started chatting politely, which surprised the Empress. She couldn't help but say, "So it was just a misunderstanding. That's good. Princess Jiang Xuan and Princess Chen have made peace right here. This is very beneficial to the relations between our two countries."
"Yes, yes," many people in the hall echoed.
Jiang Xuan looked at Ouyang Yue and laughed: "Of course, I am very happy to be friends with Princess Chen."
Ouyang Yue smiled reservedly, but a thoughtful look flashed in her eyes so quickly that no one noticed.
Over there, the Holy King Yu Xiaoyao of the Miao region gently swirled the wine in his cup, gazing at the reflection in the wine. It was a face of unparalleled beauty, but his eyes were as black as pearls covered in dust, making it impossible to discern their color or depth.
The two welcome banquets for Jiang Xuan and Jiang Qi, though filled with many incidents, were ultimately successful. Later, Jiang Xuan's repeated attempts to strike up conversations with Ouyang Yue drew attention. People thought it was obvious: Princess Jiang Xuan clearly had feelings for Prince Chen and was using this opportunity to win over the Princess Consort, hoping for a future chance to enter Prince Chen's residence and be accepted by him. Princess Jiang Xuan was quite flexible, but it seemed the Princess Consort was in trouble. If Prince Chen married Jiang Xuan, the royal family would be thrown into chaos. A marriage alliance with a powerful foreign enemy required courage, but it also provided a significant backer. Ouyang Yue had half of the Great Zhou behind her, while Jiang Xuan represented the entire Great Gan. It was difficult to say who would be a greater help to Baili Chen. The banquets ended shortly afterward, but the question lingered in everyone's minds.
In the bustling inn, as soon as they entered the master bedroom, Jiang Qi said, "You really scared me to death earlier. I really thought you were so angry that you wanted to make Ouyang Yue miscarry. That would have been a big deal, and we would have been in big trouble."
Jiang Xuan sat down and poured herself a cup of tea, saying, "Elder brother, have you ever seen me act so impulsively?"
Jiang Qi shook his head: "Of course not, so my initial worries led me to think that you must have come up with some idea."
Jiang Xuan nodded: "If I don't take this opportunity, how can I get closer to Ouyang Yue? I'm a complete stranger to her. Even as the princess of Da Gan, it's difficult for me to approach her. Instead, she'll think I have ill intentions and am after Baili Chen. Since that's the case, why don't I play along and deliberately cause her trouble, making her fight me? Then it'll be hard for her not to notice me. If she loses, I'll have a way to make her understand my true thoughts. If she wins, I'll concede. But I really didn't expect her to win under those circumstances. This Ouyang Yue, she truly deserves the title of the most beautiful woman in Langya Continent. She's definitely got some skills."
Jiang Qi agreed with this point: "That's true. I also participated in the beauty pageant. Ouyang Yue is not inferior in either literature or martial arts. She is truly the most outstanding person I have ever met besides my imperial sister. Such a person will be wary of outsiders, so it will be very difficult for us to get close to her. Your method may be a good one, but if you continue to get close to her, it is hard to guarantee that people will not suspect your intentions. After all, her identity is not ordinary."
Jiang Xuan was also a little troubled by this: "Although Baili Chen is good, he is not my favorite. Baili Chen is also very stupid. He has such strong conditions, but he does not fight for the throne. Is he really heartless, or is he pretending to be stupid to deceive others?"
Jiang Qi said, "Although he was born into a higher social class than the Crown Prince, he rarely displayed his talents and character. It's not that he was incompetent and had no opportunity to show his abilities, but rather that he had been hiding his talents. Moreover, his health had been poor for many years, so no matter how much he was favored, his competitiveness was not as high as that of the other princes. However, after marrying Xuan Yuan Yue, with the support of the Princess's Mansion and the Xuan Yuan Army, he did not change at all. Either he had planned it all along, or he really had no intention of vying for the throne."
"Hmph! Ridiculous!" Jiang Xuan sneered, "It's really unlucky for Xuan Yuan Yue to marry such a good-for-nothing and unambitious person. Although she has a nice appearance, in my opinion, she is of no use. If I were a man, I would definitely not let a woman like Xuan Yuan Yue go to Baili Chen."
"Pfft!" Jiang Qi laughed: "What are you saying? You're a girl, how can you say such things? Others will think you're strange."
Jiang Xuan frowned: "Elder brother, I'm telling the truth. Of course, this is impossible. I just think that Ouyang Yue is one of the few women I find quite decent, yet she married a man I don't even like. Isn't that a waste? Besides, Xuanyuan Yue is hiding a huge secret, a secret that even Father didn't tell me. Do you think Baili Chen knows about this secret? They've been married for so long. An ordinary man would already have many beautiful concubines. I don't know all the habits of men, but I do know that even if Baili Chen truly loves Xuanyuan Yue and doesn't want her to experience the struggles between wives and concubines after entering the manor, Xuanyuan Yue is pregnant now, so why doesn't Baili Chen even have a concubine in the manor? If it's just out of love for Xuanyuan Yue, it's hard to believe. I've never heard of or seen a man who can be so self-disciplined."
Jiang Qi didn't react to Jiang Xuan's accusation about the inherent flaws in men, because he had never seen a man with such self-control, let alone Jiang Xuan. Therefore, the interaction between Baili Chen and Ouyang Yue seemed strange: "Are you saying that Baili Chen might already know Xuan Yuan Yue's secret, and that his current concern for her is also for that secret?"
Jiang Xuanpi looked at Jiang Qi, who was deep in thought, and noticed the slight flicker in his eyes. This made her wonder what secret her father wanted to get from Ouyang Yue. Moreover, he was so concerned about this secret that he even sent the two of them here, and they were acting with extreme caution. Was Xuanyuan Yue really that different? It was truly puzzling.
Upon returning to Prince Chen's residence, Baili Chen first had Ouyang Yue lie down, then summoned Imperial Physician Liu to examine her. Only after learning that Ouyang Yue was indeed healthy did he feel relieved and let Imperial Physician Liu leave. Ouyang then sat up, saying, "Quickly sit down, don't get up."
Ouyang Yue shook her head and said, "I'm really fine. Don't I know my own body?"
Baili Chen gently brushed a strand of embroidered hair from her forehead, his brows furrowing into a mountain shape: "Today, I have a feeling that Jiang Xuan came specifically for you."
After a moment of silence, Ouyang Yue said, "I do have that feeling too, but I can't think of any other reason why she would cause trouble for me, except because of you."
Baili Chen answered Ouyang Yue with a long, tender kiss: "Don't talk nonsense. There's nothing wrong with my eyes. She doesn't look at me like that at all. How could it be because of me?" Ouyang Yue shook her head. "That's hard to say. Even if you're qualified to compete for that position, it's hard to guarantee."
Baili Chen's lips curled into a cold, mocking smile. "Those who fight for that position are all fools and lunatics. I don't care." Ouyang Yue wrapped her arm around his and leaned against his chest, seemingly lost in thought, and said, "Husband, haven't you really thought about it?"
Baili Chen paused for a moment and said, "I have thought about it. When I was very young, when I was confined in Chenyu Palace, with no relatives to visit me, and being played like a puppet by a group of palace maids, I wondered, if I were the Emperor, would these people oppress me like this? If I were the Crown Prince, being groomed as the heir apparent, would I be so neglected by my father? But after I left the palace and went to Wuhua Temple, although life there was very hard, it made me understand one thing: what it means to live like a human being." Baili Chen lowered his head slightly, and gently kissed Ouyang Yue's forehead. "My wife, tell me, is the palace a place for humans to live?"
Ouyang Yue's eyes widened slightly, and she turned her head to lightly kiss Baili Chen's lips. When she turned back, her hand reached up to Baili Chen's face, stroking him comfortingly: "But being in this position, even if you don't want to, others will guess that you do. In addition, given the current situation, this Crown Prince has always been a narrow-minded, short-sighted, and lecherous man. If he becomes emperor in the future, we won't have a good life either. So you support your third brother." Ouyang Yue had already thought of this, but she still wanted to confirm it.
“Yes, before I met you, I thought that if my third brother ascended the throne, it would be my time to retire. I would build a house in some rural forest, and live a carefree life, resting at sunset and rising at sunrise. But now, you and the baby in your belly are also on the list.” Baili Chen held Ouyang Yue’s hand, placing his hands on her swollen belly, his voice gentle: “There are only six months left until he is born. My wife, do you think it will be a boy?”
It's easy to see Baili Chen's urgency in these words. Although Jiang Xuan seems to be after Ouyang Yue, that's just a facade. If she has other motives, what if Ouyang Yue doesn't give birth to a boy to secure her position? Other princesses or other people will be eyeing the throne of Princess Chen. This is what Baili Chen and Ouyang Yue least want to see. But if they can successfully give birth to a boy, things will be different. Baili Chen is somewhat anxious.
Ouyang Yue was also slightly dazed. Since becoming pregnant, she had not had any communication with Su'er, nor could she sense Su'er. In fact, she was not sure what was going on. Baili Chen's words made her a little worried. Was this child really Su'er? Or was it something else? Or was there some reason why Su'er could not be born? Her mind was in turmoil.
Sensing that Ouyang Yue's breathing was a little unsteady, Baili Chen was startled and hurriedly said, "Wife, I was just talking nonsense. Don't worry, we are still young. We will have a second, third, or even more children in the future. The most important thing for you now is to relax. I was just talking nonsense. Just pretend I was farting."
Seeing Baili Chen hurriedly defend himself, Ouyang Yue's tense heart eased slightly. Although she was still worried, she knew that worrying now was useless. However, she thought that she hadn't practiced that mental cultivation technique since she became pregnant. Back then, the technique had reached a bottleneck. Although she hadn't stopped practicing in the later stages and would practice whenever she had time, she hadn't been as focused. After becoming pregnant and busy with various things, she had forgotten about it. Recently, she felt increasingly unsettled. It seemed she had to pick up the technique again. Even if she couldn't break through the bottleneck immediately, being able to calm her mind would be beneficial for protecting the pregnancy. She smiled and tapped Baili Chen's nose: "Don't talk nonsense."
Seeing this, Baili Chen was relieved. The two then went to Leng Caiwen's place to have lunch together. Leng Caiwen naturally knew about what happened during the day and muttered something under her breath, but they didn't hear it.
That night, in the master bedroom of Prince Chen's mansion, on the double bed, the bed curtains swayed slightly. The doors and windows were already tightly closed. Suddenly, a strange gust of wind blew in from nowhere, lifting the bed curtains completely and revealing two people sleeping in each other's arms. The man seemed to sense the strangeness in the room, his brows furrowing slightly. Then the bed curtains slowly fell back down, as if nothing had happened. The man on the bed remained calm, not fully awake.
Suddenly, a chubby white finger appeared beside the bed, poking and poking Baili Chen's face. It was a dark and windy night, so dark that one could not see one's own hand in front of one's face. It made one wonder if he was seeing things. Baili Chen woke up after being poked on the face for the third time, but he felt that the little finger was not very strong and was soft. At first, he did not wake up, but calmly observed.
He poked and poked, and the thing seemed to have gotten stuck, as if he were playing with it like a toy. Baili Chen opened his eyes instantly and saw a little boy squatting by the bed. But as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he realized that his surroundings had changed. He should have been sleeping on a big bed in the mansion, but now, when he turned around, he was in a countryside with red flowers, green willows, and flowing streams. Baili Chen was standing on a narrow path, observing his surroundings with a slight frown, and then he walked forward.
The path was lined with towering ancient trees, and in front of them were wisps of green bushes about half a knee tall. The path was an earthen track that seemed to have formed naturally. However, as he walked, he found that he seemed to be walking further and further away. He could clearly see a waterfall in the distance, and he could hear the gurgling water. It wasn't far from here. Although he didn't know how long he had been walking, he estimated that he would be there soon, even if he hadn't reached it yet. However, he felt that he had been walking for a long time, but he had been standing still. This thought made Baili Chen frown.
After thinking for a moment, Baili Chen closed his eyes and continued walking. He walked for an unknown amount of time until the fine sand and fresh water scent filled his nostrils. Baili Chen twitched his ears and heard the sound of the waterfall crashing against the rocks. It was indeed louder than before. He slowly opened his eyes and saw the towering waterfall that seemed to reach into the clouds, cascading down like silk. Under the sunlight, the water was clear and sparkling. Occasionally, a few water droplets would playfully leap into the air. Looking up, it resembled a seven-colored gem, emitting a bright and vibrant luster. As the waterfall crashed against the rocks and cascaded down, steam rose from all sides, creating a dreamlike beauty. Fish would occasionally leap out of the water, their tails flicking – what a narcissistic fish!
"Tch, you're already stunned? You're so useless!" Just then, a soft, sweet voice rang out, quite out of place, and with a hint of disdain.
Baili Chen looked down and saw a boy wearing a blue jacket sitting on a large rock on the bank of the Qishui River. The boy's hair was extremely short. As the saying goes, one's body and hair are given to one's parents. The hair on this boy's head was so short that one could see the color of his scalp. However, he had tied it into a fake topknot on his head in a very strange way, and a golden crown was placed on top of it, which shone brightly in the sunlight.
Strangely, Baili Chen couldn't see the child's face clearly at all. The only thing he could make out was a pair of large, bright eyes, full of wit and intelligence. There was only one child in the place, so it was obviously him who had spoken earlier. He took a few steps forward and stopped two meters away from the boy, but he still couldn't see the boy's true face. However, as he got closer, he noticed that the child's eyes were even brighter.
"Was it you who spoke just now?"
"Isn't that obvious? Besides you and me, is there a third person? Sigh, this is like talking to a brick wall. Is he an idiot?"
Baili Chen frowned. What kind of brat is this? He's so annoying. He fell silent. Although he has a bad temper, he doesn't stoop to hitting children. So he just stared at the brat with a stern face.
The little brat didn't care at all. Even when he showed a ferocious face that could terrify any child in the world, the child remained unfazed, extending a chubby, short, thick finger like a lotus root and pointing it at himself: "Do you know who I am?"
Who you are has nothing to do with me. Baili Chen didn't speak. The little boy seemed to have gotten bored. He pouted and looked at Baili Chen with obvious disgust: "Tch, you're my dad, but you're so dull, stupid, and mute. You're so awful."
"Father? What are you talking about? I just got married, where would I get a father? Even though you're just a child, don't try to play tricks on me, or I'll beat you too. I have a hundred or eighty ways to make people wish they were dead. You can't be rude to me, even if you're young!" Baili Chen was a little angry. This child was too sharp-tongued and dared to scold him.
"snort!"
"Smack!"
"you!"
"Hey, stop!"
What happened next? The little boy snorted coldly, and Baili Chen suddenly felt a heavy slap on the head. It really hurt. He yelled at the little boy and twisted his hand to grab it. The little boy's big eyes were full of pitiful tears, but he held them back. He looked like he had been bullied and was pitiful, which made people feel sorry for him. But this person did not include Baili Chen.
"Since your parents haven't taught you manners and let you run wild, I'll teach you now, and then I'll call your parents over and have a good talk with them." Baili Chen's face was cold and intimidating, and the little boy couldn't help but shrink back. But the next moment, his little chest puffed out. "Okay, okay, call them over. My dad, you can beat them all you want. It won't be fun if you cripple me."
"You! How could you be so unfilial, utterly rebellious!" Upon hearing this, Baili Chen was furious. He was usually very calm, but for some reason, he couldn't control his temper when he encountered this little boy: "Who are your parents? Tell them to come out."
The little boy burst into laughter: "Hahaha, it's so far away, yet so close at hand!"